Editor’s Note (2/5/24): On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be visible from parts of the U.S., Mexico and Canada. This will be the last opportunity to see the phenomenon in the contiguous U.S. and Canada until 2044.
A solar eclipse darkens some region of Earth roughly every six months. Excitement is high for the August 21 total eclipse, which will cast a band of complete blackness across the U.S. from Oregon to South Carolina. If you live too far away to see it, don’t despair—another eclipse may be coming your way soon (see map). It may be one of several varieties, in which the moon blocks part or all of the sun (see diagrams). Whatever the flavor, the event provides a dramatic show worth experiencing. —Mark Fischetti
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